Indoor Athletics Championships Might Be Insane. Here's the Reason.
New and Excited: NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships Are Here!
This weekend, college track and field fans, prepare yourself for an electrifying experience as the 2025 edition of the NCAA Indoor Championships unfolds in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
A fresh set of stars is set to rise as the old guard leaves the college ranks to venture into the professional circuit. This year is no exception, with Nico Young, Parker Valby, Graham Blanks, Jacious Sears, and McKenzie Long officially moving on.
That leaves room for new standouts. Keep an eye on North Carolina's Ethan Strand, Virginia's Gary Martin, and South Carolina's Jameesia Ford, to name a few.
But don't let 2025 fool you—it's not a repeat of 2015. The top 16-fastest times in the women's 800 meters are faster than the best times from a decade ago. It's a testament to the advancements in track and field over the years.
With rising talent and fierce competition, this year's championships are set to be exhilarating. Here are some storylines worth watching out for:
The Men's 3,000 Meters: A Wildcard Race
North Carolina's Ethan Strand had a significant decision to make: Enter NCAAs in the mile or the 3K? With NCAA records in both (3:48.32 and 7:30.15), Strand has opted for the latter. But it won't be an easy run to victory.
Strand will face a formidable field, including teammate Parker Wolfe, Arkansas' Yaseen Abdalla, Villanova's Liam Murphy, Virginia's Gary Martin, and even NAU's Drew Bosley.
The question is, what in the world is going to happen?
A New Women's Sprint Star Could Be Born
The women's 60 meters final may see the birth of a new sprint star. LSU's Brianna Lyston, the reigning NCAA indoor champion, returns looking to solidify her position among the nation's best. But she faces fierce competition from her own teammate, Tima Godbless, who holds the fastest time in the field (7.08), and Georgia's Kaila Jackson, who won the SEC Championships.
Expect Sub-2 in the Women's 800m Final
The women's 800m final promises to be another nail-biter, with Stanford's Juliette Whittaker, an Olympian, LSU's Michaela Rose, the 2023 outdoor champion, and Stanford's Roisin Willis, the 2023 indoor champion, all squaring off again.
BYU's Meghan Hunter, ranked No. 6 all-time, North Carolina's Makayla Paige, No. 7 all-time, and Harvard's Victoria Bossong, No. 12 all-time, will also be ones to watch.
How Will the National Team-Title Race Shake Out?
The Texas A&M University men caused an upset at the SEC Indoor Championships, winning their first conference title in history over Arkansas, which had won the last five. But NCAAs is a different beast. Scoring will be critical across the event order.
With Arkansas, Southern California, and Texas A&M competing for the men's title, expect a tight race. For the women's championship, Arkansas looks set to defend their title in search of a three-peat.
So, get ready for a thrilling weekend of college track and field action! The Virginia Beach Sports Center is set to host the new rotation of stars, as they earn their stripes at the 2025 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.
- Ethan Strand, hailing from the University of North Carolina, has chosen to compete in the 3000 meters at the 2025 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, despite holding impressive records in both the mile and 3000 meters.
- The women's 60 meters final at the 2025 NCAA Indoor Championships could witness the emergence of a new sprinting sensation, with LSU's Brianna Lyston, Tima Godbless from the same university, and Georgia's Kaila Jackson vying for supremacy.
- In the women's 800 meters final at the 2025 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, spectators can expect a fiercely competitive race, as Juliette Whittaker from Stanford, LSU's Michaela Rose, Stanford's Roisin Willis, BYU's Meghan Hunter, North Carolina's Makayla Paige, and Harvard's Victoria Bossong all vie for top honors.
